Who’s Who Vicky Pena

If they think on a still higher level, you have to step up to that level too. Varying your play and making an “incorrect” play intentionally are also part of the psychology of poker because you are trying to affect the thinking of your opponents for future hands. To take a simple example, you might make three-of-a-kind on fourth street in seven-card stud with two of the cards showing and check your open pair on a slowplay.

 

Assuming your opponents saw your hand in a showdown, if you make a similar three-of-a-kind later in the session, you might bet it then. Since you checked three-of-a-kind before, your opponents are now likely to think you do not have three-of-a-kind, but something like two small pair or one pair and a three-flush. In other words, you are taking advantage of the impression you created earlier to get paid off later when you bet.

 

Conversely, if you know your opponent suspects you are weak, you should not try to bluff because you’ll get caught, but you should bet your fair hands for value because he’ll pay you off. Barring another major injury or a dramatic loss of form, Tiger Woods will be sent off favorite to win every Ryder Cup match he plays in for the foreseeable future.